In recent years, the concept of an ‘inappropriate’ emergency department or ambulance user has arisen. This discussion paper explores definition and measurement of inappropriate emergency healthcare utilisation, and the effect on demand. There is a public health issue where some patients seek emergency healthcare when they are not acutely unwell (inappropriate health service users) and some patients who fail to seek emergency healthcare when they are acutely unwell (patients who ‘delay’ or avoid using emergency health services). There is a difference in understanding between health professionals and patients about what a health emergency is and when it is appropriate to seek emergency healthcare.
Australian Health Review journal has allowed this article in their latest issue, "Judging a patient’s decision to seek emergency healthcare: clues for managing increasing patient demand" to be free online.
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